Fish Morphology & Shipwrecks Prepared by Avery Paxton February 2014

CROSS-SECTIONAL BODY SHAPE Fill out Fish Morphology, Part 1

Example 1: Yellow-fin Tuna

Fusiform

Example 1: Yellow-fin Tuna Fusiform Streamlined Fast-swimmer Often in water column

Example 1: Yellow-fin Tuna Fusiform Streamlined Fast-swimmer Often in water column Where would a fish with a fusiform shape live on a shipwreck??

Example 2: Tautog

Example 1: Tautog Compressed

Example 2: Tautog Compressed Quick speeds for short distances Not always moving because uses bursts of speed

Example 2: Tautog Compressed Quick speeds for short distances Not always moving because uses bursts of speed Where would a fish with a compressed shape live on a shipwreck??

Example 3: Gulf Flounder

Depressed Example 3: Gulf Flounder

Depressed Swims along bottom like a flying bird Bottom-dweller Example 3: Gulf Flounder

Depressed Swims along bottom like a flying bird Bottom-dweller Example 3: Gulf Flounder Where would a fish with a depressed shape live on a shipwreck??

Example 4: Conger Eel

Anguilliform Example 4: Conger Eel

Not good swimmers Ribbon shaped Example 4: Conger Eel Anguilliform

Not good swimmers Ribbon shaped Example 4: Conger Eel Anguilliform Where would a fish with an anguilliform shape live on a shipwreck??

Image from Divernet.com

Cross-Sectional Body Shapes Depressed Anguilliform Compressed Fusiform

CAUDAL FIN SHAPE Fill out Fish Morphology, Part 2

Example 1: Angelfish

Rounded Example 1: Angelfish

Short bursts of speed High maneuverability Lots of drag Rounded Example 1: Angelfish

Short bursts of speed High maneuverability Lots of drag Rounded Example 1: Angelfish Where would a fish with a rounded caudal fin live on a shipwreck??

Image from BVIwelcome.net

Example 2: Yellowedge Grouper

Truncated Example 2: Yellowedge Grouper

Short bursts of speed Good maneuverability Not as much drag Bottom-dwellers Truncated Example 2: Yellowedge Grouper

Short bursts of speed Good maneuverability Not as much drag Bottom-dwellers Truncated Example 2: Yellowedge Grouper Where would a fish with a truncated caudal fin live on a shipwreck??

Image from arkive.org

Example 3: Sheepshead

Forked Example 3: Sheepshead

Good speed over longer distances Good maneuverability Not as much drag Forked Example 3: Sheepshead

Good speed over longer distances Good maneuverability Not as much drag Forked Example 3: Sheepshead Where would a fish with a forked caudal fin live on a shipwreck??

Example 4: Blue Runner

Lunate Example 4: Blue Runner

High speed over long distances Poor maneuverability Rigid with less surface area  less drag Lunate Example 4: Blue Runner

High speed over long distances Poor maneuverability Rigid with less surface area  less drag Lunate Example 4: Blue Runner Where would a fish with a lunate caudal fin live on a shipwreck??

Caudal Fin Shapes Forked Lunate Truncated Rounded

Assignment Complete part 3 of worksheet – NC Shipwrecks – Given 10 fish that are commonly found on shipwrecks – Classify cross-sectional body shape, caudal fin shape, and where it lives on a shipwreck